The Winnowing Games

THE BRAND NEW FANTASY FROM SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF VOYAGE OF THE DAMNED, FRANCES WHITE . . .

From the moment he was born, Winifred Valour knew when and where he would die.

As the firstborn of one of ten magical Knightly houses, his role is to fight for his family's honour at the Fowler Ball. Held at opulent Foxwood Manor, every twenty years ten Debutants gather to take part in The Winnowing Games, a series of trials to test their strength, cunning and popularity. The winner will become Fowler, ruler of the nation, the rest will die.

There's one problem, to succeed against his skilled and ruthless competitors, Winifred must become something he has never been—cruel.

Sparrow knows cruelty intimately. He's a Fowl, a magic-storing human enslaved by the Knights. He was given to Winifred as a birthday present and has loathed him since. When the Fowler Ball arrives, Sparrow begs to accompany him as his appointed Fowl. Though Winifred is touched, Sparrow seeks only two things—the sister who saved his life, and revenge against everyone who made it hell.

But these Winnowing Games will be like no other. Sparrow is not the only participant with a hidden agenda, and as the schemes of their opponents carve a bloody path through the deadly games, Winifred and Sparrow must become the only thing capable of surviving them—a team.

PRAISE FOR THE BONE DOOR

'The Bone Door is epic, ambitious, and outrageously creative, with all the loveable characters, layered worldbuilding and vivid imagery that make White such a force to be reckoned with' - Keshe Chow, Sunday Times Bestselling Author of The Girl With No Reflection.

‘Frances White is a masterful storyteller. The Bone Door is a feat of impressive imagination: brutal and beautiful, the very best and worst elements of humanity captured on the page, with a host of characters that will burrow into your heart. I laughed and wept in equal measure, this is a story unlike any other.’ - A. S. Webb, Sunday Times bestselling author of Daughter of Chaos

'The Bone Door is a compelling, mind-bending adventure with as many twists and turns as the labyrinth it’s set in. Suspenseful and gripping, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough, desperate for answers to the book’s central mystery. Its central message is a poignant, hopeful one - no one is ever so broken they can’t choose love over hate.' Venetia Constantine, no. 1 Sunday Times bestselling author of The Last Starborn Seer

‘Darkly delightful and endlessly imaginative. Frances White is at the top of her game yet again with this deft and twisty tale’ - Jules Arbeaux, Author of Lord of the Empty Isle

‘In an achingly heartwarming story that is equal parts hilarious and horrifying, White delivers unforgettable characters and a wildly imaginative plot’ - Laura R. Samotin, author of The Sins On Their Bones

‘The Bone Door is a unique, emotional read that tackles trauma, empathy, human cruelty, and grief, but that also makes you laugh and appreciate the beauty of love and of being alive. Don’t miss it!' - Emma Sterner-Radley, author of Snowblooded

'The Bone Door is a triumph! A twisty, brutal fairy tale that both moved and amazed me. I couldn’t put it down!’ - Gareth Brown, Bestselling author of The Book of Doors

© Frances White 2027 (P) Penguin Audio 2027